Uses of Ethanol

Ethanol’s many uses can be conveniently divided into solvent and chemical uses. As a solvent, ethanol dissolves many organic-based materials such as fats, oils, and hydrocarbons. As a chemical intermediate, ethanol is a precursor for acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and diethyl ether, and it is used in the manufacture of glycol ethyl ethers, ethylamines, and many ethyl esters.